Tag: Major Arcana

There are many things that move across the cards, particularly the Major Arcana, like a wave, no matter the image. This bloodline of understanding, symbolism, or definition comes from the archetype, the held knowledge of numbers and namesakes.

The Emperor is no different. When the word EMPEROR is said, each one of us can visualize something. He or she may look different. The kingdom may hold different colors and material grandeur. But, the general understanding of an Emperor is a ruler who stands alone. He is the beacon of order for all that he rules.

It is because of this general understanding that the Emperor is often given a fierce and authoritative connotation. In this post, we will not be looking so much at the card definition and attributes. If you would like to read my interpretation of the Emperor please click here to go to my interpretations of the Wild Unknown card meanings. You will find the Emperor, as well as all the cards that I have thus far written a personal interpretation for.

In this post, we will be taking time to look at the Emperor across the two decks that I own: the Wild Unknown tarot and the Ostara tarot. These two cards will be examined and shed light on the nuance that they bring to the interpretations of the Emperor.

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Starting from left to right, we have the Emperor from the Ostara tarot. Unlike many other decks that depict the Emperor as a wise or authoritative older man, here the Emperor is young. He wears not a crown of gold or jewels, but two horns that symbolize his dominion over the natural earth. He is of both worlds, showing that he can understand the rule of law and the laws of nature.

These combined together can create balance in the physical fabric of the world. His youth means that he has vigor, and he does not rely on others to to uphold or protect those whom he serves. His gaze is off in the distance, showing that his vision is on the horizon, far off in the distance. The symbols on his body show that he is also mysterious, something seen hardly at all in other decks. In fact, the directness of other decks (which we will see in the Wild Unknown) is the antithesis of mystery. But these symbols as part of his physical body means that he is learned in other languages, ones that may unlock other mysteries that can serve and protect. He has taken the time and embodied the learning the different languages that are part of his world.

He also does not depict a foreboding or fierce figure. He seems gentle, a little wild or mischievous perhaps, but his face is beautiful and soft. As a counterpart to the Empress, he also holds the a childlike whimsy to create and protect the world that he is a part of.

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The Emperor in the Wild Unknown is depicted as a large tree. The size of the tree emphasizes age and time. A tree that big has been around for a long time. This sticks with the more traditional definition of Emperor as one with the benefit of experience because of age and time. Behind the Emperor is a brilliant, fiery sun, which may be the crown of the natural world.

With this brilliance comes clarity of vision, and fire for action. In this deck, the Emperor as a tree speaks to action in terms of giving. At this size, he acts like one of many lungs for the planet, taking in loads of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Trees this size create a canopy for the sky, and a network for the soil. They are a home for the fauna, shade for the weary, and a beacon for the lost.

The Emperor is depicted in only one color. He is stark black, resembling his stark nature, perhaps a little harsh and direct, but beautiful and giving nonetheless. There is also a notion of simplicity with this card, which is very different from the other Emperor. The symbols that adorned the Emperor’s body speak to a complicated understanding of different languages and symbolism in this world. Here, the Emperor is much more simplistic. He is there, front and center. He is visible, giving, nurturing, but also abrupt in palate to some.

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There you have two different images for the Emperor. I hope these comparisons help show how the image brings nuance and layers to the knowledge of the cards. Please let me know how these, or other images of the Emperor resonate with you. Much love.

We knew the Justice card would be hard. We knew this wouldn’t be an easy month. Justice is something that when it doesn’t come, can hit you across the palpitating heart. This month, I am not going to lie, it seemed to keep coming. At first, my instincts were to dig in harder, to learn more and know more so I could more in the search for Justice, and being an ally for those who need it most. I thought that through my good intentions of constantly seeking the truth of what was going, I could be better prepared.

That is not what happened……

I became overwhelmed by everything that was going on. The news was enough to make turn my good intentions into stone. I couldn’t carry all the emotions that I felt around these injustices. So I pulled back. I set boundaries. I created timelines of when I would have the TV on, and when I would enjoy a stupid funny movie. I needed this boundary because for a few days I was so inundated with horrific headlines that I forgot to laugh.

Justice is something that will push us to the limits. We need to act and search for the things in this world that will balance the corruption, the hatred, the violence. We need to use our words to say clearly where we wish to see Justice manifest. With the midterms coming up, this is another way to actively seek what we see is fair settlement for ourselves and others.

There are a lot of things to be positive about. I do not want to say that tumultuous times purge all the beauty in this world. There is still much to be grateful for, and much to love. But Justice is a balancing act, and I am not going to lie, today was a hard one. The new shooting in Pittsburgh, the bombs sent in the mail, it all felt like “Here we go again.” And then I read the news that two wolves were killed in Washington State.

Wolves are killed everywhere. I know this. I can’t always read it because it hurts, but I know it happens. Today I just spilled over in emotion. I cried hard. Harder than I have in probably a year. It was just too much. I kept thinking this is unfair for everyone. This is unfair. The shadow of Justice was coming in, and I didn’t know how to handle it. So I sat with it. I kept sitting with the pain of everything going on. I finally realized that no matter how bad the news gets, no matter how much I want to give in, I need to keep speaking about the causes I am invested in.

So if you are working with Justice, and you feel the way I do, here are some things to do to work with Justice when it doesn’t feel it is working with us. These are things that have worked for me. If something else works for you great! Share it. I would love to know how others work with this card when it feels it isn’t working with us:

1.) Create boundaries. No one can hold all of their pain and rage all the time. Be informed. Learn. But take time to laugh, to find happiness. Take breaks. It is okay to do so.

2.) Sit with the emotions. What do they have to say. If we suppress our pain when something bad happens, when something is unjust happens, we also suppress our empathy and desire to see things done right for all.

3.) Use what resources or words you can, when you can. We are all in this together, and I hope that we can all share the load towards love and inclusion.

4.) Keep believing. Empathy and love are not always going to win the battle, but I believe in my bones that it will win the war. Fighting for Justice is not always an act of love. Sometimes, it is an act of pain and heartbreak to still be fighting for equality in many topics. But, if no one fights for Justice, it won’t happen.

**Thank you for reading. I hope this small blog helps in creating ways to work with Justice, even when it feels like a mountain. It is a hard month, but I would rather feel the pain and the love than apathy and detachment any day of the week. Much love to you. Stay wild wolflings!!** #alwayshowling

There are some cards in the tarot that seem to foster a good kinship with each other, however unlikely they may seem to fit. Others are antagonists of each other, representing energies that conflict the core essence of either card as an individual message. Both are important, and both need to be expanded upon. It should also be stated, that one card can have multiple benefactor cards.

One such alliance I see in relation to the Justice card is the Empress. I think that the message of the Empress can help show the sweetness of the fruit born from Justice. Justice, as we have mentioned, is a card about mental clarity to follow the truth. The Justice card seen here (from the Ostara Tarot) shows Justice as blind, unaided in the potential distractions and biases that naturally exist in this world.

However, what starts out as a quest for Justice, for the fair and right course of punishment or action, can quickly become a search for vengeance. When one person or creature is wronged, there are those who are quick to say that the same should be done to the offender. I am not here to argue that this point in and of itself is meaningless, but I do think that it should stated that vengeance is not justice. Vengeance attaches an emotion of revenge or rage to an action. This does not apply to self-defense. Self-defense is in a whole other category. These messages are bigger picture and do not apply to immediate physical or bodily threats of harm.

Justice is not always an easy fight. Read any history book to see how justice came to many groups of people way to late. I was recently watching the movie 42. This movie is about Jackie Robinson, and the racism he faced as he became the first black man to play in professional baseball. This movie is a beautiful story, but one scene spoke to me in particular. One white player went to Branch Rickie, nervous and concerned from a death threat he had received by small-minded bigots. Branch, unconcerned with this player’s fear, showed him a whole file of death threats sent for Robinson. He said that all this hatred was actually promoting empathy for Robinson.

Obviously, segregation in itself is unjust, but the unintended consequence from many peoples’ hatred was an ability to see how wrong it was. Empathy goes a long way. That is why I chose the Empress today. There are other cards that could be paired with Justice, and have great messages to give. But empathy, led by an unconditional duty to promote understanding and truth, can keep justice away from vengeance. Vengeance and revenge do not promote a higher integrity even though they are natural feelings. It is natural to be angry at the wrong-doings of others. It is natural to wish at times that others felt the pain we feel. But empathy opens a door that revenge cannot close.

We do not have to agree with others to show them compassion or empathy. We do not have to believe all the same things in order to break bread with another person. We can be empathetic towards people who are different. But if that other person promotes violence, speaks with racist or misogynistic words, or condemns others as inferior we can use justice to fight for correct actions to remove these people from power, the podium, or our communities. It goes both ways. We do not have to listen to someone spewing hate, but we do not have to respond with hate either.

Do you ever stand in a bookstore, your eyes darting back and forth between the titles, unsure of which one is the right keeper of knowledge? When I first started to read tarot, it was out of necessity. I needed to put a pulse back in my chest, and a roar back in my throat if I was to brave another year. I went to the bookstore, knowing that I wanted a book worthy of this step. But all the titles professed the same action. They all held promise of expansion and depth, spirit making strides.

I finally settled on this book: The Key to Tarot: From Suits to Symbolism; Advice andExercises to Unlock your Mystical Potential by Sarah Bartlett. Why did I settle on this book, because it felt beautiful in my hands. The hard, chocolate brown cover felt appropriate. The pages were colored. The pages were glossy. There was something about the shine, the texture, the lift of reds and blues from the page that made me settle on this one.

This book is a great beginner’s book because it goes into each card well for a beginner level. It includes exercises and meditations to connect more deeply into yourself and the craft. It also has some good spreads that I still use today. I must admit that I no longer reach for this book that much, but as my very first tarot book, it was a star-find. Other books that I have purchased since then have not fully compared to this book. Perhaps it is my nostalgia. Perhaps it is glossy pages and way the spine creases into the skin of my folded legs. I don’t know, but I love this little book.

I had placed this book on a shelf after I read it, and moved on to other titles. I came across some journal posts from when I first started reading, and I realized how much writing I did when I was travelling through this book. I wrote in my journal constantly. Everything was somehow related to the meanings of the cards that I was slowly absorbing with this book. I din’t think too much of it. I read the journal posts, smiled at how far I have come, and went about my day.

That was about a week ago. Since then I have gone through many books on my shelves, packing the one that I know I want to keep, but will not read for some time. Others, given away as donations. I pulled this book down off the shelf I was going through and again felt that tinge of nostalgia, like looking at an old picture of myself. I really wanted to go through some of the meditations and exercises again to really see how my tarot interpretations have become layered.

If you are new to tarot, document everything! Write it down, film it, take pictures, draw it. However you do it, just do it. Document your travels because it will become a map. It will show you how to rejoin an old part of yourself that perhaps has slithered deep into the dusky layer of the subconscious. Document so you can look back and see what your gut thoughts were. Don’t take the interpretations in the pages (no matter how glossy) as gospel. Make your own choices and see what is right for you. For example, the book mentioned here reads Court Cards as other people. I have never found Court Cards to be representative messages of other people. Never. Do what feels right, and keep it documented so you can come back with a seasoned heart later for reconnection.

You can find Sarah’s book here, along with many other books that she has written. This is not an affiliate code. I think this is a great little book if you are a tarot novice, or looking for your first book. I would love to hear the books that guided your path, tarot or otherwise. Much love wolflings!

Perhaps one of the most mysterious cards, the High Priestess here is depicted as a white tiger (which is meant to denote a rarity because they are hardly seen in nature. The white tiger is seen as a high status commodity in the private and public eye due to the Captive Wildlife Crisis but I digress….). She sits in the darkness of night, with a crescent moon in the background. In between her paws is a crystal ball, an illumination of the veil between the worlds. She is in a state of BE-ing, and it acts to radiate her light outward, reaching up to the Moon. Both entities promise a bringing forth, and new creation.

Although the elemental nature of the High Priestess is highly feminine, it can be hard to describe in physical language what her nature is. This is because the High Priestess is extremely internal. She is constantly sensing, observing, and feeling. She harnesses everything around her without judgement, because there is always something to learn, to understand, or to use as a form of growth. To and through the High Priestess, everything is sacred. Everything serves a role. Even the bad, the minuscule, or misunderstood. When one of these elements surfaces in our lives, it is the High Priestess who urges us to go deeper, to not be afraid, and to comfort in our sacred selves within the good, the bad, the ugly. When we can find the sacred in these forms, we find more sacredness in our very bones.

Intuition is the vein that taps into the pay-dirt of this card. Intuition is something we are all given, which strengthens the notion that we and everything are sacred. Intuition is the ability to understand something, without having the physical proof, or need for proof. Intuition is the pull on us when something or someone is not as they seem. Intuition is the voice that urges us to do or act on something because it feels right. The High Priestess is the embodiment of this gift because there is a sense of ownership with her. She is not relying on the crystal ball, the cosmos, or the veil to channel her ability of understanding. Those messages are, and have always been there. But because she is able to harness those messages uniquely to her through intuition, she is equipped to utilize both the messages and the tools.

As mentioned, all of us have intuition. We all have the ability to go deeper into the shadows. She did not just attain this ability, and that is not what is portrayed when this card is pulled. The use of practice, process, or ritual is paramount with this card and her energy. Because the High Priestess is in the balance between internal recognition and external sources, it takes times to really go deep. One does not sit down for one meditation and suddenly become enlightened. It takes practice, process, or ritual to really start building the links between the internal and the external.

As beautiful, rare, or exotic the High Priestess looks, she is not portrayed in a world of glitz, fortune, or fame. Everything in her energy is very subtle. Her rarity comes from the fact that she can alter the energy around her. She can take in messages from the Universe and write her narrative of intention. She is present for the energy of the Universe. This is her presence. She is present. She is sensing the the subtle fingers of all the creatures that share this globe. She is creating a river of energy from the messages around her. Her intuition guides her forward.

How does your intuition guide you? When you have you stopped for a few moments and just held your form? Do you remember the sound of trees, the smell of Earth, the light of the Moon? Take time to connect deep into the skeleton of your sacred self, and into the skeleton of the Earth. The High Priestess reminds us that everything is a river that flows into the ocean of our mind.

**Tarot card pictured is from The Wild Unknown deck, and can be found at www.thewildunknown.com. This is not an affiliate link**

(This idea of self-responsibility as one of the first steps to wellness comes from Jack Travis and Regina Ryan’s Twelve Dimensional Model of Wellness, but I found it in Michael Arloski’s book Wellness Coaching for Lasting LifestyleChange)

Self-responsibility is a huge step in finding wellness. It is the first or initial submission into the process. Anyone who is seeking wellness, either alone or with the help of another, must first submit to the process and take ownership. They must take the responsibility that in order to find change they must try, and potentially fail. This is a daunting task, but I believe that taking the responsibility for your path means that everything is designed and destined for your greatness. You are in control of your wellness path, but, if needed, there are many people out there who can help you find the skills to take the reins, and drive.

I would like to point out there is a big difference from accepting or asking for help, and complete submission to someone’s orders. There is a very big difference. In seeking wellness, either through fitness, nutrition, or lifestyle, holistic health, or any modality, the client should always be in control. The professionals need to listen and modify the approach to what is workable for the client. They should give suggestions and options so the client can alter the formula down to the decimal to achieve attainable goals. If you are in control this means that you can gauge your triggers, and know when you need to push forward, or when you have had enough.

I did not have to look hard to find the card that went perfectly with this theme of self-responsibility. The Chariot is a true symbol of responsibility to self and ownership. Many themes or tarot books will say that The Chariot is all about discipline, decision-making, victory, and willpower. I would say that these things are wonderful, but they come as side dishes from the main course of accepting self- responsibility.

When you take the reins of your chariot, you are taking ownership. You are accepting that you lead the chariot, it does not lead you. The Chariot is the transportation but you are the driver. You thrust forward or pull back when and where you need to. If you do not step into your chariot, it will not go far. If you never get out of the chariot, you will never find reach your destination. The Chariot is meant to be used when you have a direction, and you have the means to get there. The Chariot is meant to be the physical evidence of your ownership and willingness to keep going until you are where you need to be.

If you are ready to find some wellness, step into the chariot. You do not need to know the whole landscape. You do not need to know how to track and map everything down. These skills are crucial, but they will come later. You must first step into your chariot. If you are having trouble doing this, imagine what your chariot would look like. What is it made of? What color is it? Is your chariot like the horse pictured here? Or is it more elaborate, decorative, embossed, or gilded? However you dream it is meant to be.

Wolfling dear, this acceptance of self-responsibility, but it is a gift. It may feel like a shadow pressing hard and cold on the spine, but it is igniting you. You have such a spectrum held within your heart. Release it. Untame it. Each of our responsibilities to self and to source means that we have more to give each other. Stay wild my wolfling.

**Thank you so much for reading. Do you agree with my card choice? Let me know your thoughts below. If you would like a reading, check out my spreads and my Code of Ethics. Let’s create some magic.**

Tarot card is from The Wild Unknown. Click here to find this deck for purchase. (This is not an affiliate link)

When you book a reading with me, one of the things that I offer is a Manifestation Package. This is more than just a free gift to say thank you for allowing me to work with you. The Manifestation Package is my attempt to help you channel the reading, long after our session. I want your reading to shake your bones and fill your space with stars. I want your feral, untamed nature to howl and sing forth the new energy that is coming in.

If you choose to accept this package. You get everything you see in the photo. There is a candle to help shed light on any card you are fixated on, or perhaps do not understand in its entirety yet. The candle is also meant to set an intention, and send the light out. Even the flame itself can show energy. If the fire is bright and vibrant, your energy is strong. If the flame is moving, or hard to manifest, this could be where you place your intention, an attempt to make your inner light breathe again.

The little incense stick is to consecrate your space. I fully believe in the energy of a space, and incense has been used for thousands of years to consecrate and channel a sacred feeling. The incense is Jasmine, and this scent has been used for many different purposes. More than anything, I hope it helps you feel intimate with your situation, and not wary. I hope you can stand in the smoke and be knighted in your attempts to deepen the reading into your source.

The Tiger’s Eye is meant to symbolize power. It can help rid anxiety and promote positive action in your endeavors. I believe you are already strong, but a reminder is always nice. You can hold them and help use the intention from the candle to connect further into your reading. You can channel a certain card or image that you want to hold. Stones are the weight of the world. They will keep burdens that you and I cannot bear to carry. Whatever came up in your reading, you can place it or release it with these stones.

The tea is meant to create a needed pause for reflection. As you sit with your reading, I hope in the moments when you know and feel you can sink in a little deeper, the tea is there to help be a catalyst. Allow yourself the time and silence to reflect on your reading, and what feelings and thoughts it brings up. This is the best way, the only way, to deepen your relationship with your cards.

The bag itself can even become a sacred space. You can anoint it with oil, use potpourri, keep written or physical insights from your reading. Bags have long been used as a way to keep close what we hold dear. I wanted the bag to dual purpose for that reason.

What is not shown is the handouts I also send via email. One in particular has spaces for you to write down anything that surfaces from using your manifestation package. I, as a tarot reader, am here to hold the torch for you. I am not here to simply give a reading and then forget the energy in a poof. I want the reading to resonate long after our time together. My card is in each package, and I hope that through our space, you can go deeper in a safe way to what is needed most.

The tarot is a beautiful, binding, helpful, and honest tool that can reach into our skeletons and place the truth inside our ribs. It can give it a heartbeat, a quickened pace in our search to find our highest potentials. However, there are times when tarot is inappropriate. There are times when it is out of place to do a reading or seek a reading. This may seem counterproductive. Any tarot reader should surely be able to read on any topic, at any time, right? No. Above anything, a reading should be helpful. Some of these topics will just muddle the path. Some can get you in a whole heap of shit.

No reading should EVER predict or speak to a physical death. First of all, you don’t have to be psychic to say that someone is going to die. We are all going to leave our physical forms and diminish back to matter and energy. But, even though death is a certainty, it should never be predicted through the cards. The role of a tarot reader is to help, never harm. Telling someone they will die in 6 months because of a card pull is going to leave them shaken, scared, or ready to sue. Readings should leave everyone feeling empowered, not looking over their shoulder to see when something is coming.

It is illegal to medically diagnose, to give legal counsel, or financially advise someone if you are not an authority in that topic. A card cannot tell you if someone has cancer. It cannot tell you how to beat cancer. These topics are serious, and should be directed to the people who can give adequate help. It is better to risk losing a client than to take money for something that you have no experience in. Being honest, and directing the client to the proper channels will leave a better impact. The client will not see you as money hungry, or here to take their hard-earned dollars. They will see that you were more invested in helping them than in making a profit.

Tarot cannot replace real life experiences. It can shed some light on those experiences, but it cannot be a substitute for experiencing and learning. Think of it this way: card 7 in the Major Arcana is the Chariot. The Chariot speaks to action through discipline, freedom to move based on choice, an alignment between the body and the spirit through physical moves, and many more meanings. If you pull the Chariot in a reading, you hold a bright and beautiful card in front of you. The metaphor of the Chariot is stunning to be sure, but guess what, you still must drive the chariot to go anywhere. That’s right. You. The seeker. You are the driver; the Chariot is the transportation. If you are not in the driver’s seat, holding the reins and ready to run with that metaphor, you will not go anywhere.

The tarot is not meant to do the work for you. This even includes engaging with others. Many tarot readers will not even read 3rd party readings because they find it obtrusive in energy. I am one of these readers. My cards are not spies. Asking a question such as, “how can I help my boyfriend this week because he is stressed at work?” is not a 3rd party question. In fact, it is a beautiful question. A 3rd party question would be “My boyfriend has been acting weird. Is there someone else in his life, and what is he doing with her?” Nothing in this question points to the seeker. All of the energy is directed at the absent boyfriend. Some don’t find this to be a wrong question to ask. The opinions in this blog post are my own. I am not saying I am better reader than those who perform 3rd party questions. I am saying I believe this question to fall into the scope of when tarot readings can fringe on the boundaries of ethics.

Another time that a tarot reading can become inappropriate is when you feel like you cannot get through any struggle or conflict without turning to the cards. If the routine is always: conflict, tarot, conflict, tarot, this is not helping. This falls back into the scope of asking the tarot to do all the work. The tarot can help with many conflicts, but before you engage in any reading or discussion, you should be relaxed and at least at peace in the moment. Journaling, walking, exercising, and any number of activities are great ways to relax, refocus, and become mindful of what exactly you want to ask. Then you are receptive, and ready to be challenged or charged. If you have a huge fight with a friend and then immediately turn to the tarot to figure out what to do, you are not investing first in finding mindfulness. And if there truly is an energy transfer, your cards are getting a whole heap of angry and bitterness if they are your immediate go-to.

Another common inappropriate practice is picking new cards till you get the ones you want. That would be like someone dating you till their first choice came along. That’s a serious party foul, right? It is similar in tarot. There are no “good” or “bad” cards. If you do a reading, or ask for one, and receive the Tower, Death, the Devil, and the 10 of Swords than you do have a lot going on right now. But if you keep pulling until you get the Sun, you are not putting the focus into dealing with what is in front of you. You are looking for the salve when you should be looking for the armor to adorn you for the warrior you are and will need to be. Let the cards speak and say what they need to say. If they say you still have a battle to fight, put on your war paint and howl.

This are just my opinions; these are some of the values that I follow when I read for myself and others. I do not believe that my tarot cards are the crystal ball to all my answers. They are a unique and powerful friend. They will say what is meant to be said, and allow me to think about questions and possible actions. Just like any healthy relationship, boundaries are key. Boundaries do not diminish love. I love my boyfriend, but I don’t want him around for ladies’ night. There are times when tarot will not provide what is needed. That is okay, and not unexpected. We cannot get all of our knowledge or growth in one place.

**If you think that I could be a good match for you as reader, please email me at teaandtombstones@gmail.com. Please let me know any comments or questions you have about this, or anything with the tarot. Respect is key, and I love to hear other opinions. I don’t want to live in an echo chamber. Stay wild!**